Fence bottom security device

ABSTRACT

Fencing has a flaw of allowing unwanted access to the fenced area by way of unwanted (predator) animals or humans digging under the base of the fence. The corrective security device consists of an elongated frame with long spikes. The elongated frame may or may not have attachment members attaching the elongated frame with spikes to the post and/or wire of the fenced area or to some post and/or wire of the fenced area or in some cases to no post and/or wire of the fenced area after the device is driven into the ground between posts of a fenced area. This barrier created by this device eliminates the flaw by allowing the fence area to be secured, thus making the fence a workable and financially sound investment.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to fence bottom securitydevices. More particularly, the present application involves a fencebottom security device that may be used as a barrier to prevent predatoror domestic animals from digging under a fence to prevent the animalfrom breaching the fence.

BACKGROUND

Fences are used to prevent access to and from a particular area. Onecommon use for fences involves the containment of domestic animals intoa desired enclosure. A homeowner often erects a fence in the hope thatit will prevent his or her animals from disturbing their neighbors,being hit by vehicles, injuring or breeding with other animals, becominglost, or hurting children. In a similar manner, fences are often usedwith the purpose of keeping other animals away from a particular area ofthe landowner. For instance, the homeowner may wish to protect animalsor children within an enclosed area from being attacked by stray animalsor taken by strangers. Although various types of fencing are in use toprevent access across the fence, all fences have weak points that can beexploited in order to completely frustrate the intended purpose ofhaving the fence.

For example, a landowner may keep high investment animals such asregistered show horses, registered breeding animals, and cattle inaddition to other pets or small game or farm animals such as sheep,goats, chickens, turkeys, rabbits and birds within a fenced enclosure.Predatory animals such as coyotes, wild dogs, wolves, or domestic dogsmay not be able to jump over the fence or traverse through the fence.However, the predator animal can dig the ground directly under the fenceto create an opening under the fence sufficient to enter the enclosedarea and kill or injure the animals contained therein. Digging andpushing under a fence made of wire usually pushes out the bottom of thewire to result in the fence being unattractive and less useful for itsintended purpose. As such, a fence may be breached by an animal makingthe owners investment of the fence useless.

The holes can likewise be dug by the owner's animals thus allowing themto escape. Holes left by digging animals will allow animals or childrento freely crawl under the fence to both exit and enter the fenced areawhich facilitates the loss or damage of the homeowner's animals,property, or children. There are known current systems that can beinstalled at the base of the fence. However, these systems are notdesigned to prevent an animal from digging under the fence but ratherare used for preventing weeds from growing up at the bottom of the fencethat will be subsequently difficult to trim or cut. Such systemsestablish a barrier at ground level that prevents weed growth, but arenot tied into or incorporated into the fence such that a system forpreventing animals from digging under the fence is realized. Therefore,these systems do not secure or prevent the fence from being breach andthus do not contribute to accomplishing the original purpose of thefence. As such, there remains room for variation and improvement withinthe art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, whichmakes reference to the appended Figs. in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a fence bottom security device in accordancewith one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the fence bottom security device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is cross-sectional view of a fence bottom security device inaccordance with a different exemplary embodiment in which a fence memberis positioned differently from that shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is cross-sectional view of a fence bottom security device inaccordance with a different exemplary embodiment in which a fence memberis positioned differently from that shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a fence bottom security device in accordancewith a different exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the fence bottom security device of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is cross-sectional view of a fence bottom security device inaccordance with a different exemplary embodiment in which a fence memberis positioned differently from that shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is cross-sectional view of a fence bottom security device inaccordance with a different exemplary embodiment in which a fence memberis positioned differently from that shown in FIGS. 7 and 9.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a fence bottom security device in accordancewith a different exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a front view of a fence bottom security device in accordancewith another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a fence bottom security device inaccordance with another exemplary embodiment.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification anddrawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features orelements of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and notmeant as a limitation of the invention. For example, featuresillustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used withanother embodiment to yield still a third embodiment. It is intendedthat the present invention include these and other modifications andvariations.

It is to be understood that the ranges mentioned herein include allranges located within the prescribed range. As such, all rangesmentioned herein include all sub-ranges included in the mentionedranges. For instance, a range from 100-200 also includes ranges from110-150, 170-190, and 153-162. Further, all limits mentioned hereininclude all other limits included in the mentioned limits. For instance,a limit of up to 7 also includes a limit of up to 5, up to 3, and up to4.5.

The present invention provides for a fence bottom security device 10that includes an elongated frame 20 and a plurality of spikes 24 for usein preventing animals from entering or escaping an enclosure. The fencebottom security device 10 is positioned at the ground level of a fence12 and may be attached to one or both adjacent fence posts 14 and 16.The spikes 24 extend into the ground 56 and function as a barrier toprevent animals from attempting to dig under the fence 12 in order toenter or exit the enclosed area. Animals digging under the fence 12 willencounter the spikes 24 and be stopped from digging under the fence 12.The fence bottom security device 10 can be located at ground levelbetween every post section of the entire fenced enclosure so that thisprotective barrier is maintained at all points as so that a weak spot inthe enclosure does not exist. Alternatively, the fence bottom securitydevice 10 can be located along only a portion of the entire fence 12 ofthe enclosure if desired. The fence bottom security device 10 can beused with a temporary or permanent kennel enclosure. One example of aportable kennel is a galvanized fenced dog pen that sits on the ground56 and can measure, for example, 10′×10′ in size.

FIG. 1 illustrates a fence bottom security device 10 in accordance withone exemplary embodiment. A fence 12 that has a first fence post 14 anda second fence post 16 is anchored into the ground 56 in the normalmanner. Here, the fence posts 14 and 16 are placed within holes dug intothe ground 56 and a fence member 18 is strung between the fence posts 14and 16. The fence posts 14 and 16 may be metal posts, wooden posts,wrought iron or plastic in accordance with various exemplaryembodiments. Likewise, the fence member 18 can be variously configured.As shown in FIG. 1, the fence member 18 is chain link. However, in otherarrangements, the fence member 18 can be closely ran barbed wire, woodor metal panels, welded woven wire, or various other types. Although thefence member 18 is capable of preventing animals from going through thefence member 18 itself, it is often the case that a gap is left betweenthe bottom of the fence member 18 and the ground 56 thus creating a weakspot in the overall fence 12. Additionally, even if the fence member 18extends to and touches the ground 56, an animal can still dig out theground 56 under the fence member 18 thus traversing the fence 12 eventhough the fence member 18 remains completely intact or may be onlyslightly pushed out.

The fence bottom security device 10 may include an elongated frame 20.As shown, the elongated frame 20 extends the entire distance between thesubsequent fence posts 14 and 16. However, in other arrangements, theelongated frame 20 need not extend the entire length between adjacentposts 14 and 16 and may instead extend only up to 90%, up to 75%, or upto 50% of the length between posts 14 and 16. With reference now toFIGS. 1-3, the elongated frame 20 may be a pipe. The frame 20 may bevariously configured in other exemplary embodiments and may be forinstance have a hollow square, hollow rectangular, angled, or solidcross-section. The elongated frame 20 can thus have a hollow interiorand a convex outer surface 360° about its outer periphery. The topsurface 28 of the elongated frame 20 may be convex in shape. The topsurface 28 can be that portion of the elongated frame 20 visible in FIG.3 which is the outer surface of the upper half of the elongated frame 20or the upper 180° of the elongated frame 20. The upper half of theelongated frame 20 is that portion of FIG. 1 that extends above the topsurface of the ground 56. The spikes 24 can extend from the top surface24 through the hollow interior of the elongated frame 20 and then out ofthe bottom of the elongated frame 20 and into the ground 56. The spikes24 may be rigidly attached to the elongated frame 20 through welding sothat these components are attached to one another permanently beforethey are placed into the ground 56. As such, the spikes 24 may bearranged so that they are not capable of being pushed out of the ground56 or thus moved with respect to the elongated frame 20 after initialplacement. The spikes 24 may penetrate the top surface 24. In otherembodiments, the spikes 24 need not penetrate the top surface 24 and canbe attached to an inner surface of the elongated frame 20 or even to thebottom of the outer surface. In this regard, the spikes 24 can be weldedto any portion of the elongated frame 20.

The spikes 24 can be made of metal or plastic and can be 8, 9, or 10inches in length. The spikes 24 may be made of steel and may or may nothave a coating in accordance with various embodiments. In otherexemplary embodiments, the spikes 24 can extend up to 6 inches, up to 12inches, up to 24 inches, or up to 48 inches into the ground 56 from theelongated frame 20. Any number of spikes 24 and spike 24 spacing may beemployed in the fence bottom security device 10. The spikes 24 may havea circular cross-sectional shape and can be up to ⅜^(th) of an inch wideor wider, or the spikes 24 can have a rectangular or squarecross-sectional shape and may be an inch or greater in width. The spikes24 may be of any width, for example they may be up to one inch in widthor greater. The spikes 24 may all be shaped and sized the same, or thevarious spikes 24 in the plurality of spikes 24 can have sizes andshapes that are different from one another. The spikes 24 may all bespaced the same distance from one another along the length of theelongated frame 20 or their spacing from one another may be varied.Adjacent spikes 24 may be spaced 6 inches from one another in certainembodiments. In accordance with other arrangements, adjacent spikes maybe spaced one inch, up to 4 inches, up to 10 inches, up to 15 inches, upto 30 inches, from 1-12 inches, or up to 12 inches from one another.

The fence bottom security device 10 of FIGS. 1-3 has an attachmentbracket 26 attached to the upper surface 28 of the elongated frame 20.The attachment bracket 26 can be bolted to the elongated frame 20 or maybe welded thereon. The attachment bracket 26 rests on the upper surface28 and extends vertically upwards from the upper surface 28. Theattachment bracket 26 is L-shaped but can be shaped differently in otherembodiments. One or more apertures 30 can be disposed through theattachment bracket 26, and an attachment member 22 can be placed throughthe apertures 30 and into the first fence post 14. As shown, theattachment member 22 is a nail 32, although the attachment member 22 canbe a bolt, wire, screw, or other type of fastener in other arrangements.Although a single nail 32 is illustrated, it is to be understood thatany number of nails 32 may be used in other embodiments to effectattachment of the first fence post 14 and the attachment bracket 26. Theattachment member 22 is driven into the first fence post 14 and thusengages the first fence post 14. The attachment member 22 can likewisecontact the first fence post 14 or may be disposed a distance away fromthe first fence post 14 in other arrangements. The elongated frame 20may also be attached to the first fence post 14 through additionalattachment members 22. As shown, an additional attachment member 22 thatis a tie 34 may be disposed through an aperture of the elongated frame20 and can wrap around the first fence post 14 to effect attachment ofthe first fence post 14 to the elongated frame 20. The tie 34 may bemade of various materials such as metal or plastic. Although shown asbeing wrapped around the entire outer periphery of the first fence post14, the tie 34 need only wrap around a portion of the first fence post14 in other arrangements and various ways of attaching the tie 34 to thefirst fence post 14 and the elongated frame 20 are possible in otherexemplary embodiments of the fence bottom security device 10. The end ofthe elongated frame 20 can contact the first fence post 14 or may bespaced from the post 14 in certain embodiments.

It is to be understood that the disclosed attachment members 22 are onlyexemplary and that others are possible. Further, a single attachmentmember 22 may be used in other versions of the fence bottom securitydevice 10 and a plurality of attachment members 22 are not necessary.The attachment members 22 function to attach the elongated frame 20 tothe first fence post 14 so that the fence bottom security device 10 issecurely incorporated into the fence 12 system. However, in otherversions of the fence bottom security device 10 the elongated frame 20need not be attached to the first fence post. Here, the elongated frame20 may contact the first fence post 14, but an attachment member 22 thatcontacts the first fence post 14 need not be present. The attachmentmember or members 22 that are used may be located at a vertical heightthat is completely below that of the top surface 28, completely abovethat of the top surface 28, or at locations that are both above andbelow the vertical height of the top surface 28.

The fence member 18 may be attached to the elongated frame 20. In thefence bottom security device 10 of FIGS. 1-3, a series of fence memberattachment members 42 are located along the length of the elongatedframe 20 and are attached to links in the fence member 18 so as toeffect attachment of the fence member 18 to the elongated frame 20. Thefence member attachment members 42 can be ties that are made of metaland may be provided in any number. The fence member attachment members42 may be wrapped completely around the width of the elongated frame 20and can be positioned through a link of the fence member 18 that ischain link, welded wire, or variously configured. However, it is to beunderstood that when configured as ties, the fence member attachmentmembers 42 can be variously arranged. For instance, one or moreapertures can be disposed through the elongated frame 20 and the fencemember attachment members 42 can be positioned through these aperturesand then through a link of the fence member 18. Likewise, the members 42need not be ties in other embodiments, but can be bolts, screws, pins,adhesion, various mechanical fasteners, or hook and loop type fasteners.The members 42 are capable of contacting the fence member 18 and theelongated frame 20. In certain exemplary embodiments, the members 42function to draw the fence member 18 against the elongated frame 20 sothat the fence member 18 and the elongated frame 20 contact one another.However, in other configurations, the fence member 18 and elongatedframe 20 do not contact one another when the members 42 are provided toeffect attachment. Although described as being used with a chain linkfence member 18, it is to be understood that the fence member attachmentmembers 42 can be employed to attach the fence member 18 to theelongated frame 20 even when the fence member 18 is differentlyconfigured into a panel, close rail, welded wire, or close barbed wire.Also, although described as employing one or more fence memberattachment members 42, it is to be understood that the member 42 neednot be present in other arrangements and that the fence member 18 neednot be attached to the elongated frame 20.

The elongated frame 20 is shown as spanning the distance between thefirst fence post 14 and the second fence post 16. The elongated frame 20may contact the second fence post 16 or can be spaced a distancetherefrom. A second attachment bracket 58 can be provided and may extendvertically upwards from the top surface 28. A second attachment member60 can be provided to effect attachment of the elongated frame 20 to thesecond fence post 16. The second attachment member 60 may be a nail thatextends through the second attachment bracket 58 and into the secondfence post 16. Additionally or alternatively, the second attachmentmember 60 may be a tie that extends through or around the elongatedframe 20 and wrap around the second fence post 16 to effect attachment.The second attachment bracket 58 and second attachment member or members60 can be configured in the same ways previously discussed with respectto the first attachment member 22 and the first attachment bracket 26and a repeat of this information is not necessary.

With reference now to FIG. 2, the fence member 18 is shown as being achain link and is located on the front of the posts 14 and 16 so thatthe fence member 18 is not located directly above the elongated frame20. The elongated frame 20 is positioned essentially along thecenter-to-center distance between the posts 14 and 16 so that theelongated frame 20 is off-center with respect to the posts 14 and 16 inthe width direction 64. The fence member 18 between posts 14 and 16 ispositioned away from the elongated frame 20 so that no portion of theelongated frame 20 and fence member 18 overlap in the width direction64. A different exemplary embodiment is shown in FIG. 4 in which theposition of the fence member 18 is modified such that it is centered inthe width direction 64 with respect to the posts 14 and 16. Althoughpositioned completely next to the fence member 18, in other embodimentsthe fence member 18 may be positioned so that it is completely above thetop surface 28 of the elongated frame 20 in the vertical direction 66and does or does not contact the top surface 28. FIG. 5 is yet a thirdvariation in which the fence member 18 is located on the other side ofthe posts 14 and 16 from that shown in FIGS. 1-3. The fence member 18touches the ground 56 so that it is not located completely above the topsurface 28 in the vertical direction 66 and is located so as not to bepositioned directly over the elongated frame 20. The elongated frame 20may thus be completely located on the enclosed side of the fence member18 or fence 12, or the frame 20 may be completely located on the outsideof the fence member 18 or fence 12. Again, in this configuration thefence member 18 and elongated frame 20 do not overlap in the widthdirection 64. The fence member 18 may extend downward in the verticaldirection 66 so that it does not touch the ground 56 in otherembodiments, or so that it is located completely above the top surface28 in the vertical direction 66. In such embodiments, the elongatedframe 20 may still be spaced from the fence member 18 in the widthdirection 64 so that these components do not touch one another.Alternatively, the fence member 18 can be directly above the elongatedframe 20 so that a portion of the fence member 18 overlaps the elongatedframe 20 in the width direction and so that fence member 18 contacts thetop surface 28. In yet other embodiments, the elongated frame 20 and thefence member 18 may contact one another.

The elongated frame 20 is positioned with respect to the ground 56 sothat a portion of the elongated frame 20 is located below the topsurface of the ground 56 in the vertical direction 66. For example, halfof the height of the elongated frame 20 may be located below the topsurface of the ground 56. Every portion of the spikes 24 may be locatedbelow the top surface of the ground 56 in certain exemplary embodiments.In other arrangements, a majority of the vertical height of theelongated frame 20 can be located above the top surface of the ground56, or all of the elongated frame 20 can be located above the topsurface of the ground 56. In other exemplary embodiments, the entireelongated frame 20 is located below the top surface of the ground 56. Instill further embodiments the elongated frame 20 is located with respectto the ground 56 such that the top surface 28 of the elongated frame 20is at the same vertical position 66 as the top surface of the ground 56.Minimizing the vertical height of the elongated frame 20 above the uppersurface of ground 56 may prevent the accumulation of debris against thesides of the elongated frame 20. Further, minimizing the vertical heightof the elongated frame 20 above the upper surface of ground 56 willminimize or eliminate the effect of water flow from rains incident uponthe elongated frame 20. In accordance with certain exemplaryembodiments, the entire elongated frame 20, and thus all of the fencebottom security device 10 is located below the upper surface of theground 56 so that no portion of the fence bottom security device 10 isvisible.

FIGS. 6-8 illustrate an alternative exemplary embodiment of the fencebottom security device 10. The elongated frame 20 is an L-shaped bracketthat includes a horizontal portion 36 that is attached to and locatedabove a vertical portion 38 in the vertical direction 66. The height ofthe vertical portion 38 may be the same as the width of the horizontalportion 36. However, in other arrangements, the width of the horizontalportion 36 can be greater than the height of the vertical portion 38.Attachment brackets 26 and 58 are plates that are present on eitherterminal end of the elongated frame 20. Attachment members 22 and 60that are ties 34 are present and contact the posts 14 and 16 and theattachment brackets 26 and 58 in order to attach the elongated frame 20to the posts 14 and 16. The attachment members 22 and 60 can be locatedwithin the ground 56 so that they are not visible. A series of apertures40 can be disposed through the horizontal portion 36. In certainalternative exemplary embodiments, ties 34 can be positioned through theapertures 40 and wrapped around the posts 14 and 16 to effectattachment. However, it is to be understood that the elongated frame 20can be attached to the posts 14 and/or 16 in a variety of manners.Further, the posts 14 and 16 need not be attached to the elongated frame20 in other embodiments. For example, such an arrangement may be madewhen the fence bottom security device 10 is used with a fence 12 that isa dog pen or kennel. One or more fence member attachment members 42 canbe disposed through the apertures 40 that are located along theelongated frame 20 to attach the elongated frame 20 to the fence member18.

The spikes 24 can be attached to the bottom of the horizontal portion 36and may extend downward therefrom in the vertical direction 66 into theground 56. The spikes 24 can be welded to the bottom of the horizontalportion 36 and to the side of the vertical portion 38. The spikes 24 canalternatively be welded to the side of the horizontal portion 36 and/orvertical portion 38. The elongated frame 20 can be pushed into theground 56 so that a portion of the vertical portion 38 is likewisepushed into and located within the ground 56. The elongated frame 20 canbe located within the ground 56 so that the bottom of the horizontalportion 36 rests against the upper surface of the ground 56. However, itis to be understood that the entire vertical portion 38 may rest on orabove the ground 56 in other embodiments. The fence member 18 can belocated completely above the top surface 28 of the elongated frame 20 inthe vertical direction 66, or as shown with reference to FIGS. 6-10 thefence member 18 may touch the ground 56. The fence member 18 may or maynot contact the elongated frame 20. Also, the fence member 18 can belocated on the front of the adjacent posts 14 and 16 so that the fencemember 18 is not located directly above the elongated frame 20 such thatthe fence member 18 and the elongated frame 20 do not overlap in thewidth direction 64. The elongated frame 20 can be centered with respectto the posts 14 and 16 so that the horizontal portion 36 is centered inthe width direction 64 with respect to the center-to-center distance ofthe posts 14 and 16. In other embodiments, the vertical portion 38 canbe centered in the width direction 64 with respect to thecenter-to-center distance of the posts 14 and 16.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate different arrangements in which the fencemember 18 is located at different positions from that shown in FIGS. 6-8but otherwise are the same. The fence bottom security device 10 of FIG.9 includes a fence member 18 that is directly centered with respect tothe posts 14 and 16 in the width direction 64. The fence member 18 mayor may not contact the elongated frame 20. The elongated frame 20 isoffset from the fence member 18 so that it is located completely on oneside of the fence member 18 and so that no other portion of theelongated frame 20 is located either directly below the fence member 18or to the opposite side of the fence member 18. In the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 10, the fence member 18 is on the opposite side ofthe posts 14 and 16 from that shown in FIGS. 6-8. The fence member 18 isnot directly over the elongated frame 20 so that no portions of thefence member 18 and the elongated frame 20 overlap in the widthdirection 64. The fence member 18 may or may not contact the elongatedframe 20. The elongated frame 20 may be arranged so that it is locatedon only one side of the fence member 18 in the width direction 64 suchthat it does not extend under the fence member 18 or is located on bothsides of the fence member 18 in the width direction 64. The elongatedframe 20 of all of the variously disclosed embodiments may be made ofmetal. In some embodiments, the elongated frame 20 is made of iron orsteel. The vertical portion 38 is arranged so that the horizontalportion 36 extends from the vertical portion 38 in a direction away fromthe fence member 18. However, in other arrangements, the horizontalportion 36 can be configured so as to extend towards the fence member 18from the vertical portion 38.

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary embodiment of the fence bottom securitydevice 10 incorporated into a fence 12 in which the fence member 18 is apanel. The fence bottom security device 10 again spans the entiredistance between the first and second fence posts 14 and 16 in thelength direction 62. However, as previously discussed, the fence bottomsecurity device 10 need not extend the entire distance in the lengthdirection 62 between the first and second fence posts 14 and 16 in otherembodiments. For example, concrete, rock, utility lines, or otherobjects may be located in the ground 56 so that one does not want toinsert spikes 24. The elongated frame 20 may be sized so that its lengthis sufficient to extend completely from the first to second posts 14 and16 in the length direction 62. The length of the elongated frame 20 inthe length direction 62 may be 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 feet inaccordance with certain embodiments. In yet other exemplary embodiments,the length of the elongated frame 20 in the length direction 62 may be 6inches, from 1 to 5 feet, from 5 to 10 feet, up to 20 feet, up to 35feet, or up to 100 feet. The elongated frame 20 may have a lengthgreater than 100 feet in certain arrangements. Although described inother arrangements are being a single, integral piece, the elongatedframe 20 could alternatively be made of one or more sections to achievea desired length in the length direction 62. A first section 44 that caninclude only a single spike 24 or may include zero or from 2-10 spikes24 is attached to the first fence post 14 through use of an attachmentmember 22. The elongated frame 20 may have a hollow square, hollowrectangular, pipe shaped, solid, or L-shaped cross-sectional shape. Aplurality of apertures 50 are disposed through the vertical portion 38of the elongated frame 20. The attachment member 22 is disposed throughone of the apertures 50 of the first section 44 and is wrapped aroundthe first fence post 14 in order to effect attachment of the first fencepost 14 to the elongated frame 20. A second section 46 rests against thefirst section 44. A splice bracket 54 covers both the first section 44and second section 46. In this regard, the splice bracket 54 has an openL-shaped center into which the ends of the first and second sections 44and 46 are disposed. The splice bracket 54 also has a series ofapertures that align with the apertures 50 of the abutted first andsecond sections 44 and 46. Bolts or other mechanical fasteners can bedisposed through the first and second sections 44 and 46 and splicebracket 54 in order to effect attachment of the first section 44 to thesecond section 46. The opposite end of the second section 48 can beattached to the second fence post 16 by use of second attachment members60 that are disposed through apertures 50.

The first section 44 may have a distance in the length direction 62 thatis less than that of section 46. These lengths may be the same in otherarrangements. Also, although both of the sections 44 and 46 are shown ashaving at least one spike 24, it is to be understood that otherarrangements are possible in which at least one of the sections of theelongated frame 20 does not have any spikes 24 extending therefrom.Further, although shown as being spliced together through the use ofsplice plate 52, these components need not be included in otherarrangements. For example, the adjacent sections may be welded to oneanother, may be joined by construction glue, or may be attached to oneanother with mechanical fasteners without the presence of a separatesplicing component. Further, it is to be understood that although twosections 44 and 46 are present, any number of sections may be attachedto one another to make up the length of the elongated frame 20 in otherarrangements. For example, from 3-5, from 5-8, or up to 10 sections maybe present in certain embodiments.

The fence bottom security device 10 can be installed at the same timethe fence 12 is erected. In this regard, the fence bottom securitydevice 10 can be installed once the fence posts are put in place. Thefence member 18 can then be installed next and connected to the fencebottom security device 10 if desired. The fence bottom security device10 can be located below a gate of the fence 12. Normally, the fencebottom security device 10 is not attached to the fence member 18 of thegate of the fence 12 because then it would be necessary every time todetach the fence bottom security device 10 from the gate upon openingthe gate. However, one could make such a connection if desired.Alternatively, the fence bottom security device 10 can be an add-oncomponent to the fence system. Here, the fence 12 may already be inplace, and the fence bottom security device 10 can be installed into theexisting fence structure. If it is not possible to place the elongatedframe 20 under the fence member 18, the elongated frame 20 can bepositioned so as to be up against the fence member 18 so that thesecomponents do not overlap in the width direction 64. In a similarmanner, the elongated frame 20 may not be capable of being placed withrespect to the posts 14 and 16 so that all of these components overlapin the width direction 64. The elongated frame 20 could be placed nextto the posts 14 and 16 so that the elongated frame 20 does not overlapany portion of the posts 14 and 16 in the width direction 64.Alternatively, the elongated frame 20 may not be centered with respectto the center-to-center distance of the posts 14 and 16 but may stilloverlap some portion of the posts 14 and 16 in the width direction 64.

Another exemplary embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 12. Here, theelongated frame 20 is again composed of multiple sections 44, 46, and 48that may or may not be of the same length in the length direction 62.The elongated frame 20 is inserted into the ground 56 so that the topsurface 28 of the elongated frame 20 is flush with the upper surface ofthe ground 56. The first section 44 includes attachment brackets 26 and68 on opposite terminal ends. The attachment brackets 26 and 68 extendfrom the top surface 28 of the first section 44 in the verticaldirection 66. The attachment bracket 26 is used again with an attachmentmember 22 that may be a nail 32 such that the nail 32 is driven into thefirst fence post 14 to secure the elongated frame 20 to the first fencepost 14. The adjacent section 46 is likewise provided with a pair ofattachment brackets 70 and 72 on its terminal ends. Attachment bracket68 is located adjacent to attachment bracket 70 and a bolt or bolts 76is disposed through brackets 68 and 70 in order to attach the first andsecond segments 44 and 46 to one another. In a similar manner, the thirdsegment 48 is provided with attachment brackets 74 and 58 and a bolt orbolts 78 are used to attach brackets 72 and 74 to one another so as toeffect attachment of sections 46 and 48. Attachment bracket 58 has asecond attachment member 60 driven therethrough so as to effectattachment of the elongated frame 20 to the second fence post 16. Thevarious attachment brackets may thus be used to either effect attachmentto another section of the elongated frame 20 or to one of the fenceposts 14 or 16. Although described as using mechanical fasteners such asbolts and nails, it is to be understood that various types of fastenerssuch as ties, screws, or clips can be employed in other exemplaryembodiments.

However, it is to be understood that the attachment brackets 68, 70, 72and 74 need not be present in other exemplary embodiments. For example,the sections 44, 46 and 48 can be attached to one another may variousmechanisms not requiring the presence of attachment brackets 68, 70, 72and 74.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 12 thatshows the first section 44 as having a cross-sectional shape that issquare tubing. The entire cross-sectional shape of the elongated frame20 may be square tubing, or the various sections 44, 46 and 48 can havedifferent cross-sectional shapes. The cross-sectional shape of theelongated frame 20 can be differently shaped and it is to be understoodthat the fence bottom security device 10 is not limited to a particularcross-sectional shape of the elongated frame 20. For instance, theelongated frame 20 may have a triangular, rectangular, or oval shape incertain embodiments and may have a hollow interior or may be completelysolid. The fence member 18 extends in the vertical direction 66 so as totouch the upper surface of the ground 56. The elongated frame 20 may ormay not contact the fence member 18. Also, the fence member 18 may belocated completely above the top surface 28, at the same height as thetop surface 28, or below the top surface 28 in the vertical direction 66in accordance with various embodiments. As such, the entire elongatedframe 20 absent or including the various attachment members may becompletely located below all portions of the fence member 18 in certainarrangements.

FIG. 14 illustrates a different exemplary embodiment in which the fencemember 18 rests on and contacts the top surface 28 so that no portion ofthe fence member 18 is below the top surface 28 in the verticaldirection 66. The fence member 18 is located with respect to theelongated frame 20 so that a portion of the elongated frame 20 is on oneside of the fence member 18 and so that a portion of the elongated frame20 is on the other side of the fence member 18 in the width direction64. A portion of the elongated frame 20 may extend beyond the side ofthe post 14 in the width direction 64.

The fence bottom security device 10 can be installed during theinstallation of a new fence 12. Alternatively, the fence bottom securitydevice 10 can be an add-on component to a pre-existing fence 12 andinstalled at a later time. Generally, a fence 12 will be installed sothat the fence member 18 extends to the upper surface of the ground 56in most locations around the perimeter of the fence 12. The fence bottomsecurity device 10 can thus be installed in such instances so that thespikes 24 and the elongated frame 20 are inserted into the ground 56completely on one side of the fence member 18 in the width direction 64.The fence bottom security device 10 can be arranged so that only asingle row of spikes 24 extend between the first fence post 14 and thesecond fence post 16. In this regard, all of the spikes 24 of the fencebottom security device 10 can be located on one side of the fence member18 in the width direction 64. The spikes 24 may be made of metal and canbe made of the same material as the elongated frame 20.

While the present invention has been described in connection withcertain preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the subjectmatter encompassed by way of the present invention is not to be limitedto those specific embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended for thesubject matter of the invention to include all alternatives,modifications and equivalents as can be included within the spirit andscope of the following claims.

1. A fence bottom security device, comprising: an elongated frame thatis attached to a first fence post of a fence; an attachment member thatcontacts the first fence post and functions to attach the elongatedframe to the first fence post; and a plurality of spikes extending fromthe elongated frame and located within ground.
 2. The fence bottomsecurity device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising anattachment bracket that extends upwards from a top surface of theelongated frame, wherein the attachment bracket defines an aperturetherethrough, and wherein the attachment member contacts the attachmentbracket.
 3. The fence bottom security device as set forth in claim 2,wherein the attachment member is a nail that is disposed through theaperture of the attachment bracket and is located within the first fencepost.
 4. The fence bottom security device as set forth in claim 2,wherein the attachment member is a tie that is wrapped around the firstfence post and that contacts the attachment bracket.
 5. The fence bottomsecurity device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the elongated frame isa metal tube.
 6. The fence bottom security device as set forth in claim1, wherein the elongated frame is an L-shaped member that has ahorizontal portion and a vertical portion, wherein the horizontalportion is located above the vertical portion.
 7. The fence bottomsecurity device as set forth in claim 6, wherein the horizontal portionhas a plurality of apertures disposed therethough, and furthercomprising a plurality of fence member attachment members that aredisposed through the apertures of the horizontal portion and contact afence member of the fence and are used to attach the horizontal portionto the fence member of the fence.
 8. The fence bottom security device asset forth in claim 1, wherein the fence has a fence member that extendsbetween the first fence post and a second fence post of the fence,wherein the fence member does not contact the elongated frame.
 9. Thefence bottom security device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fencehas a fence member that extends between the first fence post and asecond fence post of the fence, wherein the fence member is not locateddirectly above the elongated frame, and wherein a portion of theelongated frame is located under the upper surface of the ground. 10.The fence bottom security device as set forth in claim 1, wherein theelongated frame is made of multiple sections that are spliced to oneanother.
 11. The fence bottom security device as set forth in claim 10,wherein at least two of the multiple sections of the elongated frame areof different lengths.
 12. The fence bottom security device as set forthin claim 1, wherein the elongated frame is made of metal.
 13. A fencebottom security device, comprising: an elongated frame that is locatedbetween a first fence post and a second fence post of a fence, whereinthe elongated frame is positioned such that a fence member of the fencethat extends from the first fence post to the second fence post of thefence is located vertically completely on one side of the elongatedframe in a width direction that is perpendicular to a length directionthat runs from the first fence post to the second fence post; and aplurality of spikes extending from the elongated frame and locatedwithin ground.
 14. The fence bottom security device as set forth inclaim 13, wherein the fence member is a panel.
 15. The fence bottomsecurity device as set forth in claim 13, wherein the spikes are spacedfrom one another such that at least four inches of space are presentbetween subsequent ones of the spikes, wherein the spikes are at leastsix inches in length.
 16. The fence bottom security device as set forthin claim 13, further comprising: a first attachment bracket that extendsupwards from a top surface of the elongated frame; a first attachmentmember that contacts the first attachment bracket and contacts the firstfence post, wherein the first attachment member functions to attach thefirst fence post to the elongated frame; a second attachment bracketthat extends upwards from the top surface of the elongated frame; and asecond attachment member that contacts the second attachment bracket andcontacts the second fence post, wherein the second attachment memberfunctions to attach the second fence post to the elongated frame. 17.The fence bottom security device as set forth in claim 13, wherein theelongated frame is an L-shaped member that has a horizontal portion anda vertical portion, wherein the horizontal portion is located above thevertical portion, wherein the horizontal portion has a plurality ofapertures disposed therethough, and further comprising a plurality offence member attachment members that are disposed through the aperturesof the horizontal portion and contact the fence member of the fence andare used to attach the horizontal portion to the fence member of thefence.
 18. A fence bottom security device, comprising: an elongatedframe that is located between a first fence post and a second fence postof a fence, wherein the fence has a fence member that extends from thefirst fence post to the second fence post of the fence, wherein theelongated frame is positioned such that no portion of the elongatedframe is located directly under the fence member of the fence; and aplurality of spikes extending from the elongated frame and locatedwithin ground.
 19. The fence bottom security device as set forth inclaim 18, wherein the elongated frame is made of multiple sections thatare spliced to one another.
 20. The fence bottom security device as setforth in claim 18, further comprising: a first attachment member thatcontacts the first fence post and functions to attach the elongatedframe to the first fence post; and a second attachment member thatcontacts the second fence post and functions to attach the elongatedframe to the second fence post.